“Sometimes.”
The air was warm and the scent of her mother’s flowers drifted by. She could hear the sound of the kids playing, talking and laughter coming from the house. Still, all that faded until there was only Simon.
“Only sometimes? Because other times they don’t make it,” she whispered, understanding that for him, not saving someone, even if he knew there wasn’t a way to make that happen, must be terrible.
“I’ve accepted it.”
“You don’t mean that.”
He stared at her. “I don’t mean it,” he admitted. “I’m supposed to be able to save them all.” He put his hands on the table. “It’s here. In these, and in my head. I’m good at what I do—one of the best. I always knew that I had a special talent, and that if I dedicated everything to becoming the best, I could save lives.”
That wasn’t ego, she thought, although she wasn’t sure how she knew. It was something else. Something more profound and integral to who he was.
“You’re complicated,” she told him.
“No. I’m fairly simple. You’re the complicated one.”
She laughed. “I don’t think so. My life is very normal. Boring, even.”
“Not boring.”
She wished he was telling the truth. “I always wanted to be exotic. Different. Instead I’m one of six kids with parents who loved each other. I guess being a triplet was unusual, but in a way it only added to the sameness. It’s hard to be an individual when you’re one of three.” She shook her head. “I’m not making sense, am I? The thing is, I love my family and my sisters so much. But they always knew what they wanted and, until recently, I didn’t.”
“Hence your concern about Fluffy’s destiny?”
She laughed. “There’s that word again. Hence. You and your fancy education.”
“That’s me. Fancy.”
“I’m glad you came today,” she said impulsively, touching her hand to his.
His skin was warm and made her remember being in his arms. Talk about a place that felt good.
Simon studied her intensely. “I am, too. I don’t spend a lot of time with families.”
By choice, she thought suddenly, thinking of his travels. He could have chosen to settle in one place, to raise money and have the patients come to him. But he hadn’t. He’d done this deliberately, which left the question of why.
Ethan strolled over. “All right, Simon, I’ve come to give you a break. Kent and I are going to grab a beer and watch the game. Want to join us?”
Montana would have preferred to keep him to herself, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.
“Go ahead,” she told him. “I’ll help Mom in the kitchen.”
They went into the house. Ethan grabbed them each a beer, then the guys settled in front of the big TV in the family room. The space was large, with comfortable sofas. Although it opened onto the kitchen, the guys were so far away that the sound from the TV barely made it to the kitchen.
The kids were out back, playing. Nevada and Dakota were with Denise, finishing up the last prep work for dinner. Baby Hannah sat in her playpen, happily digging into a quilted bag filled with fabric animals.
“Let me guess,” her mother said as Montana entered. “They’re going to watch the game.”
“Of course.”
“Men and sports. I’ll never understand it.” Denise leaned against the counter. “How your father loved baseball.”
“And football,” Nevada added. “Remember that Thanksgiving when the game went into overtime and the turkey was done?”
Dad had been desperate to see the end of the game, but had taken one look at his wife’s face and turned off the TV. Denise had been so impressed, she’d had Ethan and Ford drag the TV into the dining room while Ralph was carving the turkey in the kitchen.
“He would have missed the end of that game for you,” Montana reminded her mother. “He loved you so much.”
“He did. He was a good man.” Denise looked at her, then at Nevada. “I want you two to find a man like him.”
“I’m not opposed to it,” Montana said, doing her best not to look toward the family room or even think about Simon. First of all, she barely knew the man. Fabulous kissing did not a relationship make. Second, he wasn’t the kind who stayed, and she wasn’t the kind who left.
“I’m not convinced what you and Dad had still exists,” Nevada grumbled. “There aren’t that many good guys around.”
“Sure there are,” Dakota told her.
“Thanks. Rub in the fact you found the last one.”
“Maybe not,” Denise said, eyeing Simon. “Any sparks?”
“Mom!” Montana waved her hands. “Shh. What if he hears you?”
“They’re at the other end of the room with the TV on. He can’t hear me.” Still she lowered her voice. “I saw you two talking outside. Anything?”
Montana didn’t know what to say. Simon was smart and good-looking and kissed in a way that left her breathless. But…
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “We don’t have that much in common.”